Sultan Of Shuwa Arab Addresses Controversy Surrounding His Coronation In Edo

The leader of Shuwa Arab in Edo State, Alhaji Idris Adanno has addressed the controversy tailing the purported plan to crown him a sultan of Shua Arab in Benin City.

KanyiDaily had reported how the Shuwa Arabs ethnic group from Borno State was planing to install Idris Addano as the Sultan of Shuwa Arab of the entire Edo State.

The coronation ceremony was slated to hold on Saturday, 21 August, at Rialto Hotel, Eyaen, in Benin City, owned by a Duke in Benin Kingdom, Osazuwa Iduriase, the Enogie of Enyean.

But many prominent Edo indigenes have kicked against the planned coronation of a Sultan within the Kingdom, vowing that they will never allow “such nonsense” in the land.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki had also condemned the move in very strong terms, following outrage among residents who described the plan to install a northern Sultan in Edo as an “evil act”.

Obaseki described the purported move as sacrilegious and a threat to peace and security in the state, vowing to do everything in his power to prevent the actualization of the illegal and sacrilegious installation of the Sultan.

Sultan Of Shuwa Arab Addresses Controversy

Speaking to journalists in Benin City on Friday, Adanno who is at the centre of the controversy, declared the Shua Arab’s absolute loyalty to the state government and the Oba of Benin who he said is their father.

“The whole issue was misunderstood because of the language used. All the tribes from the North, who are resident in Edo State, are all under the Sarkin Hausawa, but we all now have our individual Sarkin like those of Kanuri, Nupe and others.

“In our Shua language, Sultan is our own Sarkin and we only wanted to celebrate my appointment as the head of Shua Arab in Benin, because we are the second largest local ethnic group from the North.

“We are all under Sarkin Hausawa of Benin, who gave us an introductory letter, which we submitted before the governor of Edo State, the Oba of Benin and the Secretary to Edo State Government.

“We are all law-abiding citizens and under the laws of the state. We are also loyal to our royal father, the Oba of Benin, who is father to all of us. We wish to apologise to Edo State government for the mix-up. As law-abiding citizens, we have also cancelled all the activities we wanted to do, as directed by the state government.”

‘Sarkin’ Means ‘Sultan’ In Shua Arab Language

While also speaking at the news conference, the Sarkin Hausawa of Benin, Alhaji Adamu Isa, stated that the whole incident was because of the choice of language.

“They are a community resident in Edo State. They have a large percentage of their people here too. They are into cattle breeding and other businesses. The thing is misuse of language from them.

“About five months ago, they came to me that since they are large, they want to have a traditional head. So, I told them to go and look for someone among them, who is going to be their leader. So, they came with one Idris and then some issues came up. I asked them to go and resolve the issues and I gave them a date to come back.

“Then, we did the turbaning of their leader so that in case we have issues concerning them, we know who to hold responsible. You know our culture, it is easier for you to regulate the activities of people, using the traditional heads. That is why I said anytime we have a large set of people from the same place, we look for a traditional head.

“The whole issue was misunderstood. I was born and bred here in Benin City. My father was born and bred here in Benin City. So, I understand the tradition and customs of the land, and the laws of the state. It was just a misuse of language. Sultan, in their own language, means Sarkin.”

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